Indiana University Athletics
Big Ten Team Improves To 2-0
8/11/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
August 11, 2002
BIG TEN TEAM IMPROVES TO 2-0 ON FOREIGN TOUR
Box Score (.pdf)Bonn, Germany – The Big Ten Men’s Basketball All-Star Team outscored Telekom Baskets Bonn 28-10 in the fourth quarter to post an 84-78 victory in Bonn. Michigan State’s Chris Hill knocked down a three pointer from the right corner with 2:06 remaining to give the Big Ten its first lead of the second half at 77-75.
“Tom Coverdale set the whole thing up,” Hill said of his shot. “He pitched it off and bumped my man. We were afraid they would call a foul because he hit the guy pretty well. They wore down in the fourth quarter while our energy level seemed to pick up which led to some steals and fast breaks.”
Michigan’s Bernard Robinson scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Big Ten squad. He had seven offensive rebounds, including a crucial board and follow-up basket after he missed the second of two free throws.
“Everyone was working together and things started to click in the fourth quarter,” Robinson said. “After the game, one of their players said we just wore them down.”
Illinois’ Roger Powell sparked the fourth-quarter rally with 10 points in the quarter, including six straight to start the quarter. He finished with 14 points and made five steals. Hill was the third Big Ten player in double figures with 12 points. Coverdale finished with six points and two assists in 17 minutes of action.
“We thought if our big guys ran the floor everytime, we could wear them down,” coach Bill Self said. “Their top two guards played 38 and 34 minutes, while our top player in minutes played had 21. We had to play catchup the entire game until Chris Hill’s three-pointer. Roger Powell and Bernard Robinson both played very well and really sparked us, with Roger having the run in the fourth quarter and Bernard playing well throughout.”
Former Ohio State All-Big Ten guard Brian Brown led Telekom squad with 19 points, while former Texas star Terrence Rencher added 17 points. Both arrived in Germany on Aug. 10. Former NBA player Aleksandar Radojevic, who signed a national letter of intent with Ohio State but never played for the Buckeyes , scored nine points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked three shots. Aleksandar Nadjfeji, who was recently cut from the Yugoslav National Team, scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Telekom Baskets Bonn is considered one of the top professional teams in Germany and is just beginning its preseason preparations for the upcoming season. The game was played with no fans in attendance at Telkom’s request.
The Big Ten squad is 2-0 on its tour through Europe and will travel to Brussels, Belgium on Monday for four days that will include two games. The team’s next game is Tuesday against Leige.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballThursday, August 13
Thursday, August 13
Wednesday, August 12
Wednesday, August 12